eel

[ eel ]

noun

, plural (especially collectively) eel, (especially referring to two or more kinds or species) eels.

1. any of numerous elongated, snakelike marine or freshwater fishes of the order Apodes, having no ventral fins.
2. any of several similar but unrelated fishes, as the lamprey.

eel

/ iːl /

noun

1. any teleost fish of the order Apodes (or Anguilliformes ), such as the European freshwater species Anguilla anguilla, having a long snakelike body, a smooth slimy skin, and reduced fins
2. any of various other animals with a long body and smooth skin, such as the mud eel and the electric eel
3. an evasive or untrustworthy person

Derived Forms

• ˈeel-ˌlike, adjective
• ˈeely, adjective

Other Words From

• eellike adjective
• eely adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of eel¹

before 1000; Middle English ele, Old English ēl, ǣl; cognate with Dutch aal, German Aal, Old Norse āll

Word History and Origins

Origin of eel¹

Old English ǣl; related to Old Frisian ēl, Old Norse āll, Old High German āl

Idioms and Phrases

see slippery as an eel .

Example Sentences

The Environment Agency found that 2,100 fish died, including eels and lampreys both endangered and protected species.

From BBC

Jay, a member of Penarth Sea Angling Club, comes for the bass, cod, rays and eels, and also the social interaction.

From BBC

European eel are critically endangered, yet students found this species twice in the Calgary market.

From Salon

But for anyone feeling adventurous, pie 'n' mash can also be served with stewed jellied eels - another Cockney favourite.

From BBC

California moray eels live in coral reefs from Point Conception in Santa Barbara County to southern Baja California in Mexico, according to the Monterey Bay Aquarium.

From Los Angeles Times